Eyelet and press machine for attachment of eyelets and method therefor

ABSTRACT

A press machine for attachment of eyelets including a simple die configuration capable of allowing the user to easily carry out an eyelet attachment process on a table. The press machine includes a die that enables the dual operation of punching the sheet or fabric for the eyelet as well as attaching the eyelet.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This patent application is related to and a continuation-in-partof U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/252,249 filed Feb. 8, 1999 forEyelet and Press Machine for Attachment of Eyelets which applicationsubsequently issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,253,434 issued to Chung on Jul.3, 2001 and is incorporated herein by this reference thereto.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to eyelets and a press forattachment of such eyelets, and more particularly to a press machine forattachment of eyelets which is capable of allowing the eyelet attachmentto be carried out using a single die, thereby achieving an improvementin the efficiency of the eyelet attachment. The present invention alsorelates to an eyelet having a configuration capable of not only allowingthe eyelet to be firmly attached to a cloth without being separated fromthe cloth due to an external force repeatedly applied to the eyelet orcloth, but also allowing the eyelet to be made of a material containinga large amount of polycarbonate, thereby eliminating the requirement ofdisposing the eyelet separately from the cloth upon disposal of thecloth and pollution of the environment caused by the eyelet disposed.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] Eyelets are generally attached to waterproof cloths used to coverarticles placed in a storehouse or on a quay, beach, or pleasure ground,in order to firmly hold those waterproof cloths using wires. Sucheyelets may also be attached to tents or covers for vehicles.

[0006] For attachment of such eyelets, press machines have been used. Anexample of a conventional press machine is disclosed in Korean UtilityModel Publication No. 94-2209, which is incorporated herein by thisreference thereto.

[0007] The press machine disclosed in the publication includes a tablearranged at the front portion of a body of the machine. A die, which isused when punching a cloth to be attached with eyelets, is arranged onthe table. Another die, which is used when attaching eyelets to thecloth, is arranged on the table. Rods are connected to the dies totransmit a drive force from a drive means mounted on the machine body tothose dies, thereby laterally moving the dies, respectively.

[0008] A punch adapted to perforate a hole through the cloth and a pressadapted to attach an eyelet to the cloth are arranged above the dies,respectively, in such a fashion that they can slide laterally together.The punch and press can also move vertically by a drive forcetransmitted thereto from another drive means.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present invention provides a press machine for attachment ofeyelets including a simple die configuration capable of allowing theuser to easily carry out an eyelet attachment process on a table. Thepress machine includes a die having a rest room for receiving a washerfed from a washer box, a guide hole vertically formed through the restroom, and guide means for guiding the washer to the rest room, a tablereceived in the rest room in such a fashion that it is verticallyslidable, the table serving as a punch die for punching a cloth to beattached with eyelets while serving as a support for supporting thewasher received in the rest room during an operation for attaching aneyelet to the cloth, a rack vertically mounted to a lower surface of thetable in such a fashion that it is vertically slidable through the guidehole of the die in the rest room, a drive motor adapted to provide adrive force to the rack, the drive motor having a pinion engaged withthe rack, and a control unit for controlling the drive motor. An eyeletis also provided which has a configuration capable of not only allowingthe eyelet to be firmly attached to a cloth without being separated fromthe cloth due to an external force repeatedly applied to the eyelet orcloth, but also allowing the eyelet to be made of a material containinga large amount of polycarbonate.

[0010] The operation of the press machine having the above-mentionedconfiguration is herein described. First, a cloth is laid on thepunching die. When the press machine then operates, the punch perforatesa hole through the cloth while moving downwardly. After the punchingoperation, the base of an eyelet is laid on the cloth in such a fashionthat it is vertically aligned with the hole. The washer of the eyelet isalso arranged in the second die in such a fashion that it is verticallyaligned with the hole.

[0011] As the press machine further operates, the rods advance by virtueof a drive force transmitted from the drive means, thereby causing thepunching die to be laterally shifted. At the same time, the second die,which serves to couple the elements of the eyelet, is disposed beneaththe press.

[0012] When the press machine further operates under the condition inwhich the dies are adjusted in position as mentioned above, both thepunch and press move downwardly, thereby depressing the upper surface ofthe base. As a result, the lower end of the base passes through the holeof the cloth and then fits around the washer. Thus, the eyelet is firmlyfixed to the cloth.

[0013] A plurality of eyelets is attached to the cloth in theabove-mentioned manner while being uniformly spaced from one another inaccordance with the using purpose thereof.

[0014] However, the above-mentioned conventional pressing machine has acomplicated arrangement in which a pair of laterally slidable dies isused to attach an eyelet to a cloth. As a result, there is a drawback inthat a degradation in workability occurs.

[0015] Since the dies serve to attach an eyelet to a cloth while slidinglaterally, the resulting attachment of the eyelet may be unstable. Thismay result in an easy separation of the eyelet from the cloth.

[0016] Meanwhile, a variety of eyelet configurations have been proposed.An example of a conventional eyelet configuration is disclosed in KoreanUtility Model Laid-open Publication No. 95-14715.

[0017] The eyelet disclosed in the publication includes a flange memberand a cap both made of a metal. The flange member is provided at itsupper surface with repeated grooves and protrusions. The flange memberis also provided at its central portion with a vertically extendingbushing. The bushing is integral with the flange member and has acentral through hole. An annular engaging protrusion is also formed onthe outer surface of the bushing.

[0018] The cap is provided at its lower surface with repeated groovesand protrusions engageable with the grooves and protrusions of theflange member. The cap also has, at its central portion, a through holecommunicating with the through hole of the flange member.

[0019] An annular engaging groove is formed at the inner surface of thethrough hole of the cap. The engaging protrusion of the bushing isengageable with the engaging groove.

[0020] The procedure for attaching the eyelet having the above-mentionedconfiguration to a cloth will now be described.

[0021] First, the bushing of the flange member is fixed to a punchedportion of the cloth in such a fashion that the grooves and protrusionsformed at the upper surface of the flange member are in close contactwith the lower surface of the cloth.

[0022] Thereafter, the cap is fitted around the bushing of the flangemember fixed to the cloth in such a fashion that the bushing is insertedinto the through hole of the cap until the engaging protrusion of thebushing engages with the engaging groove of the cap. In this state, thegrooves and protrusions formed at the lower surface of the cap are inclose contact with the upper surface of the cloth.

[0023] Since the eyelet has a configuration in which the engagingprotrusion of the bushing engages with the engaging groove of the cap,there is a problem in that the engaging protrusion may be easilydisengaged from the engaging groove due to an external force repeatedlyapplied to the eyelet. In this case, the eyelet may be separated fromthe cloth.

[0024] Meanwhile, the eyelet attached to the cloth may be in an uprightstate when the cloth is folded. In this state, if the cloth is forciblyfolded while being pressed, the upright cloth may then cause the clothto be damaged. The user, who holds the cloth, may also receive injury tohis hand by the eyelet.

[0025] Where the cloth is disposed of at the end of the life spanthereof, unless the eyelet is separated from the cloth, the eyelet maycause pollution of the environment because it is made of a metal.Although this problem may be solved by disposing the eyelet separatelyfrom the cloth, this separation work is troublesome.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0026] Therefore, an object of the invention is to provide a pressmachine for eyelets including a simple die configuration capable ofallowing the user to easily carry out an eyelet attachment process on atable.

[0027] Another object of the invention is to provide an eyelet having aconfiguration capable of not only allowing the eyelet to be firmlyattached to a cloth without being separated from the cloth due to anexternal force repeatedly applied to the eyelet or cloth, but alsoallowing the eyelet to be made of a material containing a large amountof polycarbonate, thereby eliminating the requirement of disposing theeyelet separately from the cloth upon disposal of the cloth andpollution of the environment caused by the eyelet disposed.

[0028] Another object of the invention is to provide an eyelet having aconfiguration capable of preventing the eyelet from damaging the clothor the hand of the user when the cloth is folded for storage thereof.

[0029] In accordance with one aspect, the present invention provides apress machine for attachment of eyelets comprising: a body having a restroom for receiving a washer fed from a washer box, a guide holevertically formed through the rest room, and guide means for guiding thewasher to the rest room; a table received in the rest room in such afashion that it is vertically slidable, the table serving as a punch diefor punching a cloth to be attached with eyelets while serving as asupport for supporting the washer received in the rest room during anoperation for attaching an eyelet to the cloth; a rack verticallymounted to a lower surface of the table in such a fashion that it isvertically slidable through the guide hole of the die in the rest room;a drive motor adapted to provide a drive force to the rack, the drivemotor having a pinion engaged with the rack; and a control unit forcontrolling the drive motor.

[0030] In accordance with another aspect, the present invention providesan eyelet comprising: an annular rim adapted to be in close contact withan upper surface of a cloth, to be attached with the eyelet, in anurging state; a plurality of uniformly spaced prongs downwardlyprotruded from a lower surface of the rim and adapted to be stuck in thecloth, each of the prongs having a radially outwardly inclined shape; aboss extending downwardly from an inner edge of the rim, the boss beingfitted in a hole formed through the cloth; a flange adapted to be inclose contact with a lower surface of the cloth; and a plurality ofpushing protrusions upwardly protruded from an upper surface of theflange and arranged radially inwardly of the prongs, the pushingprotrusions serving to push the lower surface of the cloth.

[0031] Other objects and aspects of the invention will become apparentfrom the following description of embodiments with reference to theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032]FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating a press machine accordingto the present invention;

[0033]FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a die according to thepresent invention;

[0034]FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the die shownin FIG. 2;

[0035]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of FIG.2;

[0036]FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of FIG.2;

[0037]FIG. 6 is a partially-broken perspective view illustrating a partof a press according to the present invention;

[0038]FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an eyeletaccording to the present invention; FIGS. 7a and 7 b are enlargedportions of FIG. 7;

[0039]FIGS. 8a to 8 h are schematic views respectively illustrating theoperation of the press machine according to the present invention;

[0040]FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating the control operation of acontrol unit included in the press machine in accordance with thepresent invention;

[0041]FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of the eyelet of the presentinvention;

[0042]FIG. 11 is a front plan view of the eyelet of FIG. 10;

[0043]FIG. 12 is a top plan view of the eyelet;

[0044]FIG. 13 is a bottom plan view of the eyelet;

[0045]FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the eyelet taken along line14-14 of FIG. 12;

[0046]FIG. 15 is a top perspective view of a lower washer ring of theeyelet;

[0047]FIGS. 16 and 17 are side plan views of the lower washer ring ofthe eyelet;

[0048]FIG. 18 is a top plan view of the lower washer ring of the eyelet;

[0049]FIG. 19 is a bottom plan view of a lower washer ring of eyelet;

[0050]FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of the lower ring of eyelet ofFIG. 18 taken along line 20-20;

[0051]FIG. 21 is a bottom perspective view of the upper base ring of theeyelet;

[0052]FIGS. 22 and 23 are side plan views of the upper base ring of theeyelet;

[0053]FIG. 24 is a top plan view of an upper base ring of the eyelet;

[0054]FIG. 25 is a bottom plan view of the an upper base ring of theeyelet;

[0055]FIG. 26 is a side cross-sectional view of the upper base ring ofthe eyelet taken along line 26-26 of FIG. 25; and

[0056]FIG. 27 is a side cross-sectional view of the eyelet when in usesimilar to that shown in FIG. 8h.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

[0057] The detailed description set forth below in connection with theappended drawings is intended as a description of presently-preferredembodiments of the invention and is not intended to represent the onlyforms in which the present invention may be constructed and/or utilized.The description sets forth the functions and the sequence of steps forconstructing and operating the invention in connection with theillustrated embodiments. However, it is to be understood that the sameor equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by differentembodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spiritand scope of the invention.

[0058] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 6, a press machine for attachment ofeyelets according to the present invention is illustrated.

[0059] As shown in the drawings, the press machine, which is denoted bythe reference numeral 2, includes a machine body 4, and a control unit 6installed on the machine body 4 and adapted to carry out the entirecontrol operation for the press machine.

[0060] A first drive motor 8 is mounted to the machine body 4. The firstdrive motor 8 operates under the control of the control unit 6, therebygenerating a drive force.

[0061] A belt 10 is connected at one side thereof to a drive shaft ofthe first drive motor 8. The belt 10 is also connected at the other sidethereof to a first gear wheel 12 rotatably mounted to the machine body4. By this configuration, the drive force from the first drive motor 8is transmitted to the first gear wheel 12 via the belt 10. A first cam14 is provided at the first gear wheel 12.

[0062] A second gear wheel 16 is rotatably mounted to the machine body 4in such a fashion that it engages with the first gear wheel 12. Thesecond gear wheel 16 is provided with a second cam 18 having a functionsimilar to that of the first cam 14.

[0063] A lever 20 is also hingeably mounted to the machine body 4 bymeans of a hinge pin 22 in such a fashion that one end thereof isarranged between the first and second cams 14 and 18. The other end ofthe lever 20 is connected to the upper end of a punch 24 by means of alink. The punch 24 extends vertically through a through hole verticallyformed through a press 26 vertically slidably mounted to the machinebody 4. The punch 24 is vertically slidable through the through hole ofthe press 26.

[0064] A locker 28 is mounted to the upper portion of the punch 24. Thelocker 28 serves to selectively lock the press 26 to the punch 24 inaccordance with the using purpose of the press machine. When the punch24 moves downwardly in a locking state of the locker 28, the press 26moves downwardly along with the punch 24. When the locker 28 is in alock-releasing state, the punch 24 alone moves downwardly.

[0065] The punch 24 is provided at its lower end with a plurality ofuniformly spaced rakes 32 adapted to partially cut the portion of acloth 30 corresponding to the edge of a hole to be perforated throughthe cloth 30. Vertical grooves 34 are formed at the inner surface of thethrough hole of the press 26 at the lower end of the press 26 in orderto receive the rakes 32 of the punch 24.

[0066] A die 38, which serves to attach an eyelet 36 to the cloth 30, isarranged beneath the press 26. The die 38 is mounted on a table 40arranged at the front portion of the machine body 4.

[0067] A pair of chutes 46 and 48 are arranged at one side of the table40 to guide the elements of the eyelet 36 (namely, a base 42 and awasher 44) fed to the table 40, respectively. Respective lower ends ofthe chutes 46 and 48 are positioned in the vicinity of the table 40whereas respective upper ends of the chutes 46 and 48 are connected to apair of boxes 50 and 52 in which washers 44 and bases 42 are contained,respectively.

[0068] Now, the construction of the die 38 mounted on the table 40 willbe described in detail.

[0069] The die 38 includes a die body 54, and a guide wall 56 formed onthe upper surface of the die body 54 along both lateral ends and frontend of the die body 54. The guide wall 56 serves to guide a washer 44fed to the die body 54 via the chute 46 so that the die body 54 mayreceive the washer 44. An arm 58 is hingeably mounted to one lateral endof the die body 54 to firmly hold the washer 44 fed to the die body 54at a desired position. The arm 58 is coupled to a first solenoid 60fixedly mounted to the guide wall 56. The first solenoid 60 serves toprovide a drive force for hingeably moving the arm 58.

[0070] A rest room 62 is formed at the front portion of the die body 54.A through hole 64 is centrally formed in the rest room 62 through thedie body 54. A plurality of uniformly spaced guide grooves 66 is formedat the inner surface of the through hole 64 in such a fashion that theyextend vertically.

[0071] A pair of guide holes 68 is formed through the die body 54 atopposite sides of the rest room 62, respectively. Another guide hole 70extends laterally through the die body 54 from one lateral surface ofthe die body 54 in such a manner that it communicates with one of theguide holes 68.

[0072] A bar 72 is slidably received in the guide hole 70 in such afashion that its inner end extends selectively into the guide hole 70.The bar 72 is coupled to a second solenoid 74 at its outer end outwardlyprotruded from the die body 54. The second solenoid 74, which is mountedto one lateral surface of the die body 54, serves to provide a driveforce for slidably moving the bar 72.

[0073] A second drive motor 76 is fixedly mounted to the lower surfaceof the die body 54 to generate a desired drive force. A pinion 78 isfixedly mounted to a drive shaft of the second drive motor 76. Thesecond drive motor 76 and the first and second solenoids 60 and 74 areelectrically connected to the control unit 6.

[0074] A table 80 is seated in the rest room 62 in such a fashion thatit is vertically movable. The table 80 serves to support the cloth 30during a punching operation. The table 80 is centrally provided with athrough hole 82 through which the punch 24 can pass. A plurality ofuniformly spaced guide grooves 84 are formed on the inner surface of thethrough hole 82 in such a fashion that they are vertically aligned withthe guide holes 66. The guide grooves 66 and 84 serve to guide the rakes32 while receiving those rakes.

[0075] A vertical bar 86 and a rack 88 are mounted to the lower surfaceof the table 80 in such a fashion that they extend vertically throughthe guide holes 68, respectively. The rack 88 engages with the pinion 78so that it moves vertically by a rotation of the pinion 78. By virtue ofthe vertical movement of the rack 88, the table 80 moves vertically withrespect to the rest room 62.

[0076] The rack 88 is provided at one lateral surface thereof with alaterally extending hole 90 in which the inner end of the bar 72 coupledto the second solenoid 74 is selectively inserted. The rack 88 is alsoprovided at the same lateral surface thereof with a stopper pin 92arranged below the hole 90. The stopper pin 92 serves to limit a raisedposition of the table 80.

[0077] Preferably, the stopper pin 92 is arranged at a positioncorresponding to a raised position of the table 80 where the uppersurface of the table 80 is flush with the upper surface of the guidewall 56.

[0078] The construction of the eyelet 36 according to the presentinvention will now be described in conjunction with FIG. 7.

[0079] In accordance with the present invention, the eyelet 36 is madeof a material containing a large amount of polycarbonate. As mentionedabove, the eyelet 36 includes the washer 44 arranged on the lowersurface of the cloth 30, and the base 42 arranged on the upper surfaceof the cloth 30.

[0080] The washer 44 includes an annular flange 94 and an annular groove96 formed on the upper surface of the flange 94. A plurality ofuniformly spaced pushing protrusions 98 are upwardly protruded from theupper surface of the flange 94 radially inwardly of the groove 96. Thepushing protrusions 98 have a taper shape in such a fashion that theyhave a reduced width as they extend upwardly. The pushing protrusions 98serve to upwardly push the lower surface of the cloth 30, thereby firmlyholding the cloth 30 without any movement.

[0081] On the other hand, the base 42 includes an annular rim 100, aboss 102 extending downwardly from the inner edge of the rim 100, and anannular groove 104 formed on the lower surface of the rim 100 radiallyoutwardly of the boss 102. The annular groove 104 serves to receive theupper end of each pushing protrusion 98 formed on the washer 44. Theboss 102 has a truncated conical shape in such a fashion that it has areduced cross-sectional area as it extends downwardly.

[0082] A plurality of uniformly spaced prongs 106 is downwardlyprotruded from the lower surface of the rim 100 radially outwardly ofthe groove 104. The prongs 106 are stuck in the cloth 30 when the eyelet36 is attached to the cloth 30. The prongs 106 have an inwardly inclinedshape and are integral with the rim 100.

[0083] The pushing protrusions 98 formed on the washer 44 are arrangedinwardly of the prongs 106 formed on the base 42 in a state in which thebase 42 and washer 44 are coupled together.

[0084] Hereinafter, the operation of the pressing machine for attachingthe eyelet having the above-mentioned construction to a cloth inaccordance with the present invention will be described in conjunctionwith FIGS. 8a to 8 h. The operation of the pressing machine iscontrolled by the operation of the control unit 6 carried out as shownin FIG. 9.

[0085] First, the cloth 30, which is to be attached with eyelets, islaid on the die 38. For a punching operation, the table 80 should bepositioned at its raised position. Accordingly, when the table 80 ispositioned at a seated position in the rest room 62, it is required tomove the table 80 to its raised position. At the seated position of thetable 80, the bar 72 is in a retracted state in which its inner end isseparated from the hole 90 of the rack 88 to allow the rack 88 to move.The retraction of the bar 72 is carried out under the control of thecontrol unit 6. That is, when a power switch (not shown) is switched on,the control unit 6 energizes the second solenoid 74 which, in turn,retracts the bar 72. Accordingly, the inner end of the bar 72 isseparated from the hole 90 of the rack 88. This state is kept until thesecond solenoid 74 is de-energized under the control of the control unit6.

[0086] After the cloth 30 is laid on the die 38, the second drive motor76 drives under the control of the control unit 6, thereby rotating thepinion 78. By the rotation of the pinion 78, the rack 88 moves upwardly.

[0087] As a result, the table 80 moves upwardly from the rest room 62along with the bar 86. At this time, the upward movement of the table 80is guided by the bar 86 and rack 88 moving upwardly along the guideholes 68.

[0088] When stopper pin 92 provided at the rack 88 comes into contactwith the lower surface of the die body 54 during the upward movement ofthe rack 88, a further movement of the rack 88 is prevented. In responseto this state, the second drive motor 76 stops after a predeterminedtime set by the control unit 6 elapses.

[0089] Thereafter, the control unit 6 sends a control signal to thesecond solenoid 74 to de-energize the second solenoid 74, therebycausing the bar 72 to extend. Accordingly, the inner end of the bar 72is inserted into the hole 90 of the rack 88.

[0090] Accordingly, the table 80 is locked at the raised position by thebar 72.

[0091] At the raised position, the table 80 is positioned in such afashion that its upper surface is flush with the upper surface of theguide wall 56.

[0092] After completing the above operation, a portion of the cloth 30to be punched is disposed over the table 80.

[0093] In this state, the first drive motor 8 drives under the controlof the control unit 6, thereby generating a drive force. The drive forcefrom the first drive motor 8 is transmitted to the gear wheels 12 and 16via the belt 10. Accordingly, the gear wheels 12 and 16 rotate alongwith their cams 14 and 18. The rotating force of the cams 14 and 18 istransmitted to one end of the lever 20 interposed between the cams 14and 18, thereby causing the lever 20 to hinge about the hinge pin 22.

[0094] The drive force of the lever 20 is transmitted to the punch 24connected to the other end of the lever 20 in the form of a downwardmovement force. Where the locker 28 is in a lock-releasing state,accordingly, the punch 24 alone moves downwardly, as shown in FIG. 8b.At this time, the press 26 does not move.

[0095] When the punch 24 moves downwardly, the rakes 32 provided at thelower end of the punch 24 are separated from the grooves 34 provided atthe lower end of the press 26. As the punch 24 further moves downwardly,its lower end punches the portion of the cloth 30 laid on the table 80and passes through the punched cloth portion.

[0096] At this time, the rakes 32 partially cut the edge of a holeformed through the cloth 30 by the punching operation. The resultingcuts serve to allow the base 42 of the eyelet 36 to pass through thehole during a subsequent coupling operation for the base 42.

[0097] The punch 24 further moves downwardly through the through holes82 and 64 of the table 80 and die body 54, so that a cloth pieceseparated from the punched cloth 30 is outwardly discharged from thethrough hole 64 of the die body 54.

[0098] After completing the punching operation, the punch 24 returns toits original position by the drive force of the lever 20 transmittedthereto in the form of an upward movement force by virtue of the cammingfunction of the cams 14 and 18 rotating continuously by the drive forcefrom the first drive motor 8.

[0099] In this state, the control unit 6 sends a control signal to thesecond solenoid 74 to retract again the bar 7, thereby allowing the rack88 to move. At the same time, the control unit 6 also sends a controlsignal to the second drive motor 76 in order to reversely rotate thepinion 78.

[0100] As the pinion 78 rotates reversely, the rack 88 engaged with thepinion 78 moves downward along with the bar 86 and table 80.Accordingly, the table 80 returns to a state in which it is seated inthe rest room 62, as shown in FIG. 8c.

[0101] At the seated state of the table 80, the upper surface of thetable 80 is positioned at a level lower than the upper surface of thedie body 54 by a desired distance.

[0102] After completing the above operation, a washer 44 is dischargedfrom the first box 50 which operates in a vibrating manner. Thedischarged washer 44 is downwardly fed to the die body 54 via the firstchute 46 and then guided by the guide wall 56 of the die body 54. Thus,the washer 44 reaches the table 80, as shown in FIG. 8d.

[0103] In response to the washer 44 reaching the table 80, the controlunit 6 energizes the first solenoid 60, thereby rotating the arm 58 insuch a fashion that the free end of the arm 58 comes into contact withthe peripheral edge of the washer 44 in an urging state, as shown inFIG. 8e.

[0104] Thereafter, a base 42 is discharged from the second box 52 whichoperates in a vibrating manner. The discharged base 42 is downwardly fedto the die body 54 via the second chute 48 and then laid on the punchedportion of the cloth 30 disposed over the table 80, as shown in FIG. 8f.

[0105] In this state, the locker 28 is adjusted so that it is positionedat its locking position where the punch 24 is locked with respect to thepress 26. Accordingly, the punch 24 and press 26 move downwardlytogether by the drive force of the lever 20 transmitted thereto in theform of a downward movement force by virtue of the camming function ofthe cams 14 and 18 rotating continuously by the drive force from thefirst drive motor 8. As the press 26 moves downwardly, it depresses theupper surface of the base 42, as shown in FIG. 8g.

[0106] As a result, the boss 102 of the base 42 passes through the holeof the punched cloth 30 by the external force applied to the base 42. Atthis time, the cuts formed at the edge of the hole serve to allow theboss 102 to easily pass through the hole.

[0107] As the press 26 further moves downwardly, the lower end of thebase 42 comes into contact with the upper surface of the table 80 andthen penetrates between the lower surface of the washer 44 and the uppersurface of the table 80 while being radially outwardly widened.

[0108] At this time, the washer 44 is slightly raised in the rest room62 due to the lower end of the boss 102 penetrating between the lowersurface of the washer 44 and the upper surface of the table 80. As aresult, the upper surface of the washer 44 comes into close contact withthe lower surface of the cloth 30, as shown in FIG. 8h. At this time,the pushing protrusions 98 formed on the washer 44 push the cloth 30into the annular groove 104 of the base 42. Accordingly, the cloth 30 isfirmly held by the washer 44.

[0109] The lower surface of the base 42 depressed by the press 26 alsocomes into close contact with the upper surface of the cloth 30. As aresult, the prongs 106 are stuck in the cloth 30.

[0110] Thus, the prongs 106 of the base 42 and the pushing protrusions98 of the washer 44 serve to firmly fix the eyelet 36 to the cloth 30without any movement.

[0111] After completing the above operation, the press 26 and punch 24return to their original positions by the drive force from the firstdrive motor 8 transmitted thereto in the form of an upward movementforce by virtue of the camming function of the cams 14 and 18.Thereafter, the above-mentioned procedure is repeatedly carried out toattach further eyelets to the cloth 30.

[0112] As apparent from the above description, the present inventionprovides a press machine for attachment of eyelets which has aconfiguration capable of achieving attachment of an eyelet to a clothusing a single die with a table. Accordingly, it is possible to achievean improvement in the efficiency of the eyelet attachment.

[0113] The present invention also provides an eyelet having aconfiguration capable of not only allowing the eyelet to be firmlyattached to a cloth without being separated from the cloth due to anexternal force repeatedly applied to the eyelet or cloth, but alsoallowing the eyelet to be made of a material containing a large amountof polycarbonate. Accordingly, it is possible to eliminate therequirement of disposing the eyelet separately from the cloth upondisposal of the cloth and pollution of the environment caused by theeyelet disposed.

[0114] In accordance with the present invention, it is also possible toprevent the eyelet from damaging the cloth or the hand of the user whenthe cloth is folded for storage thereof.

[0115] The present invention has been described in an illustrativemanner, and it is to be understood the terminology used is intended tobe in the nature of description rather than of limitation. Manymodifications and variations of the present invention are possible inlight of the above teachings. Therefore, it is to be understood thatwithin the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practicedotherwise than as specifically described. While the present inventionhas been described with regards to particular embodiments, it isrecognized that additional variations of the present invention may bedevised without departing from the inventive concept.

What is claimed is:
 1. A material-punch and washer-processing stationfor an eyelet-making press machine, comprising: a washer-receiving bodydefining a guide hole; a vertically-slidable table coupled to said body,said table defining a punch aperture; and a controller controllingvertical motion and position of said table with respect to said body;whereby a washer received by said body is selectably seated upon saidbody by said table.
 2. A material-punch and washer-processing stationfor an eyelet-making press machine as set forth in claim 1, said tablefurther comprising: a rack coupled to said table, said rack engagingsaid controller and enabling said controller to control said table.
 3. Amaterial-punch and washer-processing station for an eyelet-making pressmachine as set forth in claim 1, said controller further comprising: adrive motor driving said table.
 4. A material-punch andwasher-processing station for an eyelet-making press machine as setforth in claim 1, further comprising: a washer-positioning system, saidwasher-positioning system positioning said washer upon said body.
 5. Amaterial-punch and washer-processing station for an eyelet-making pressmachine as set forth in claim 1, further comprising: said table beingselectably lockable with respect to said body.
 6. A material-punch andwasher-processing station for an eyelet-making press machine,comprising: a washer-receiving body defining a guide hole; awasher-positioning system, said washer-positioning system positioning awasher upon said body; a vertically-slidable table coupled to said bodyand supporting said washer, said table defining a punch aperture, saidtable being selectably lockable with respect to said body; a rackcoupled to said table and extending therefrom; and a controller having adrive motor driving said table and controlling vertical motion andposition of said table with respect to said body, said drive motorengaging said rack and enabling said controller to control said table;whereby said washer receivable by said body and selectably seated uponsaid body by said table and said washer-positioning system.
 7. A methodfor fabricating a eyelet on a sheet, the steps comprising: providing aeyelet base and a eyelet washer; providing a combined sheet punch andeyelet-attaching station; positioning said sheet over said station;punching said sheet to define a hole; positioning said eyelet upon saidstation on one side of said sheet adjacent said hole; positioning saidbase over said washer with said sheet between said base and said washer;and forming said eyelet by attaching said base to said washer, said baseand said washer entrapping a portion of said sheet circumscribing saidhole; whereby said sheet is punched and said eyelet attached to saidsheet at said station.
 8. A method for fabricating a eyelet on a sheetas set forth in claim 7, wherein the step of providing a combined sheetpunch and eyelet-attaching station further comprises: providing awasher-processing station, comprising: a washer-receiving body defininga guide hole; a vertically-slidable table coupled to said body, saidtable defining a punch aperture; and a controller controlling verticalmotion and position of said table with respect to said body; whereby awasher received by said body is selectably seated upon said body by saidtable.
 9. A method for fabricating a eyelet on a sheet as set forth inclaim 8, wherein said table further comprises a rack coupled to saidtable, said rack engaging said controller and enabling said controllerto control said table.
 10. A method for fabricating a eyelet on a sheetas set forth in claim 8, said controller further comprising a drivemotor driving said table.
 11. A method for fabricating a eyelet on asheet as set forth in claim 8, said washer-processing station furthercomprising a washer-positioning system, said washer-positioning systempositioning said washer upon said body, said controller furthercomprising a drive motor driving said table.
 12. A method forfabricating a eyelet on a sheet as set forth in claim 8, furthercomprising: said table being selectably lockable with respect to saidbody.
 13. A method for fabricating a eyelet on a sheet as set forth inclaim 7, wherein the step of providing a combined sheet punch andeyelet-attaching station further comprises: providing awasher-processing station, comprising: a washer-receiving body defininga guide hole; a washer-positioning system, said washer-positioningsystem positioning a washer upon said body; a vertically-slidable tablecoupled to said body and supporting said washer, said table defining apunch aperture, said table being selectably lockable with respect tosaid body; a rack coupled to said table and extending therefrom; and acontroller having a drive motor driving said table and controllingvertical motion and position of said table with respect to said body,said drive motor engaging said rack and enabling said controller tocontrol said table; whereby said washer receivable by said body andselectably seated upon said body by said table and saidwasher-positioning system.